In This Issue
-Upcoming Service
-From the Pulpit
-COVID Policy
-Fellowship Offsite Dining
-Fiction Book Discussion
-Tinsel Trail
-LFP
-Donate with Text Message
-In Case You Missed It
-COVID-19 Relief Funds
-Care List
-Upcoming Events
-Minister Info
-UUCH Board Members
-Church Info
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Happening Soon
In- Person Worship
Dec 19, 10:45 am
Solstice Service
Dec 21, 7 pm
Christmas Eve Service
Dec 24, 5 pm
Adult RE Meeting
Jan 20, 6:30 pm
Offsite Dining
January 11, 5:30 pm
Fellowship Book Discussion
January 27th, 7 pm
For ALL of the upcoming events, please click the "Check Events" button at the top of the newsletter or see the upcoming week's list near the end of the newsletter.
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"PJs and Christmas Stories"
Rev. Jaimie
10:45 AM, Sunday Dec 19
Most years, this Sunday is the day we have our beloved No-Rehearsal Christmas Pageant. We will bring that tradition back next year, with all the costumes and chaos and fun. But for this year, we will be silly and festive in other ways with Christmas PJs and Classic Christmas Stories. Join Rev. Jaimie in wearing your favorite Christmas Pajamas (Yes Pajamas at Church!) and hear a beloved Christmas Story as part of this multi-generational Christmas service.
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From the Pulpit
Dear UUCH,
First I want to say Wow!
Sunday was incredible and it was an absolute joy to meet so many of you and worship together both in person and online. The music was gorgeous, the technology that we are still learning is improving marvelously each week, and hearing your laughter and seeing your faces while preaching was so deeply rewarding. I am in awe of this community and grateful for everyone who is doing their part and following our guidelines so we can worship together safely in this new way.
Within our joy and excitement, we know that the pandemic is not over, and that new variants are spreading rapidly. This week I met with the UUCH Board and we had a thoughtful and honest conversation about what happens next, especially as cases begin to rise in Madison County. Up until this point our policy had been based on specific numbers of cases. While this number is still relevant, we feel that other indicators like percentage of vaccination, numbers of hospitalizations and regional public health guidelines are also important to consider. And we know that with the choice to create the livestream option, we now have two co-equal options for our members to choose between on Sunday mornings based on their own risk tolerance.
For now, the Board has removed the case number cap as a requirement for our policy and we plan to proceed with the current restrictions we have in place for the foreseeable future. Because of how well you all followed our guidelines this past Sunday, and because I have heard your direct feedback from our community survey, I thoroughly support the Board in this decision. Like always, I will join them in our monthly practice of reviewing our policy and the current data to make sure we are making choices that are safe for ourselves and considerate of our larger community, and if at some point it becomes necessary to move back to a fully virtual model I will support them in that decision too.
For now though, our hope is that each week you are making these same thoughtful choices for yourself and your family. So if at some point it feels like too much of a risk for your family to be in person at worship, switch to virtual for a while. And then if it starts to feel safer again, please come on back. I hope we can all feel empowered to make these decisions for ourselves, knowing our community is very highly vaccinated and that we practice masking and other safety measures together as a way to show our care and compassion. Now more than ever we need to practice consent and trust as we navigate this wonderful change in our community life. Please reach out me or any member of the UUCH Board for more questions on our policy or how we make decisions for the congregation.
Wishing you rest and safety this Holiday season and hope to see you on Sunday and at our Special Holiday Services next week!
Blessings
Rev. Jaimie
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UUCH Board Updated COVID Policy
Information about the full COVID-19 policy can be found below.
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UUCH Fellowship--Offsite Dining Event
When: Tuesday, January 11 @ 5:30pm
Where: Sitar, 420 Jordan Ln NW, Huntsville, AL 35805
Resolve in the new year to attend our next UUCH Fellowship dinner! Please join us on Tuesday, January 11 at Sitar on 420 Jordan Ln NW, Huntsville, AL 35805 for dinner and Fellowship, starting at 5:30pm.
Money will never be a barrier to participating in Fellowship at UUCH. If you need financial assistance to participate, please contact Rev. Jaimie at minister@uuch.org.
Please sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E094FA5AB2EAAF85-offsite1
Contact Sarah Rody or Steve Rittenberg if you have any questions.
Submitted by the Fellowship Committee
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UUCH Fellowship Committee
Fiction Book Discussion-The Hobbit
Join the UUCH Fellowship Committee on Thursday, January 27th at 7:00 pm for a Zoom Discussion of J.R.R. Tolkien's, “The Hobbit.” Watch for the Zoom link here or check the UUCH calendar.
J.R.R. Tolkien’s fantasy novel The Hobbit tells the story of an unlikely hero, the eponymous hobbit Bilbo Baggins, and his episodic quest, along with thirteen dwarves and the wizard Gandalf, to reclaim gold from the dragon Smaug.
We will meet on Thursday, January 27th at 7 p.m. for a discussion of this inspiring book. Everyone is welcome. Steve Rittenberg and a Person To Be Named Later will facilitate.
Copies are available at the Huntsville Madison Library, both as a physical book and an electronic book. If you need assistance purchasing this book, please contact srittenberg@gmail.com or Rev. Jaimie Dingus at minister@uuch.org
Submitted by the Fellowship Committee
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UUCH Christmas Day Walk at Tinsel Trail
In keeping with the tradition from last year, we are meeting up for a Holiday stroll through the Tinsel Trail downtown on Christmas Day. We will meet at the main entrance on Church St. at 2:30 p.m. and walk around the trees. Masks are recommended. This will be a fun and safe way to get outside and be with other people. Please sign up at the following link: SignUp Genius For TInsel Trail Walk
You can email Sarah Rody at sarah.rody@live.com or Steve Rittenberg at srittenberg@gmail.com if you have any questions.
Submitted by the Fellowship Committee
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Little Food Pantry
The Little Foor Pantry needs your help! Please sign up on the signup genius. For newcomers to buying food for the pantry, here are some suggestions:
Proteins: canned tuna, Vienna sausages, ham, mac & cheese, pintos, beanie weenies, spaghetti & meatballs, pb & j.
Other: canned veggies, pasta, cereal, grits, soups, pancake mix, bananas, onions, potatoes, cabbage, apples.
Use your imagination! And a HUGE thank you to all of you who’ve filled it month after month. The need is there.
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Submitted by the Social Justice Committee |
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Donating by Text or Online
Our e-giving partner, Vanco is migrating to a new mobile app: “Vanco Mobile.” After September 30, giving with the GivePlus+ app will no longer be supported. To continue giving with a mobile app, download the Vanco Mobile app from the Apple App Store or Google Play to your mobile device and follow the instructions here. If you have already set up a login for GivePlus+, it will work on Vanco Mobile.
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By Text:
To give a plate offering to UUCH from your mobile device, text the amount (without dollar sign) to 833-559-0257, and follow the instructions. Text giving is by debit or credit card only.
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Online:
Like our other online and mobile giving options, this option is through Vanco, is secure, and has a good option for "plate" donations as well as "pledge" and "AHA".
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Submitted by the Finance Committee |
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"Opening to Joy"
Rev. Jaimie Dingus
Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021
Stream last week's service recording anytime!
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COVID-19 Relief Funds Available
Funds are available for members of the congregation who have been negatively impacted financially by COVID-19.
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Care List
This Sunday at Our Circle of Candles:
Ashe Kennedy lit a candle of joy and sorrow: "My cousin Holly survived a heart attach this week and I'm so glad to have them here with me today. We've been best friends through thick and thin and I'm grateful for all the years we've had, especially the ones to come."
Glen and Michelle Clark lit a candle of sorrow: "praying for and looking for ways to help our friends and family in Western Kentucky after the tornados Friday night."
Jessica Schulz lit a candle of healing: for Kathryn Heath recovering from knee replacement surgery, and Theresa Miller healing from back problems. Keep them in your thoughts.
Bette Goodman lit a candle of healing: for my sister Kathie and her husband Goerge who is having health problems.
The Strickland Family lit a candle of joy: for getting 2 new puppies this week, Piper and George!
Sarah Kinley lit a candle of joy: for "Dad turned 81! Got a new Pomeranian Puppy. Excited for Solstice Service again."
Gary and Barbara Hitt lit a candle of joy: "We celebrated our 54th anniversary on Thanksgiving Day with our kids and grandkids."
Heather Kyemba lit a candle of joy: "Being back in person! The four of us are traveling to Uganda over the winter break to visit family. We're excited and nervous to travel in this time of Covid."
Torin Kyemba lit a candle of joy: "I am glad that we can be back here in person and indoors after a year and a half. It's been so long that I'd started to forget what it's like."
Beckett Boggs lit a candle of joy and sorrow: "that we may gather and share our love in person again. And sorrow- I leave my mom, and relationship with her in my High Power's care."
Kristen lit a candle of joy: for the return of safe spaces!
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Upcoming Events
If you encounter a problem with a link, please check our Facebook page and website for possible updated information and links.
In-person Worship
Dec 12
UUCH Sanctuary
Choir Practice
Wednesdays 7:00 PM
UUCH Sanctuary
Soul Circle (Group B)
7:00 PM
Solstice Service
Dec 21. 7pm
UUCH Sanctuary
Christmas Eve Service
Dec 24, 5pm
UUCH Sanctuary
Adult RE Meeting
Jan 20, 6:30 pm
Zoom
Offsite Dining
January 11, 5:30 pm
Sitar Indian Cuisine
Fellowship Book Discussion
January 27th, 7 pm
Zoom
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Minister
Rev. Jaimie Dingus
Office Hours:
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday by appointment.
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UUCH 2020-21
Board Members
President:
John Schulz
Vice President:
Nick Wilbourn
Secretary:
Nancy Finley
Treasurer:
Bob Locklear
Trustees:
Suzey Delacey
Shalin Mody
Nancy Pettus
Minister:
Rev. Jaimie Dingus
Do you have an agenda item for the Board?
The Board respectfully requests that all agenda items for the meeting be submitted to Board President John Schulz via email no later than one week prior to the meeting (i.e. the Tuesday before). The next board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 25, 2021 at 5:00 pm.
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Office Administrator
Demi VanderWerff, interim
Main Office Hours:
Tuesday – Thursday
11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
*Please email office if you need building access.
Phone:
256-534-0508
For more info on any event, contact the church office or visit our website.
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The Overlook is a publication of The Unitarian Universalist Church,
3921 Broadmor Rd., Huntsville, AL 35810
Editor-in-Chief:
Laurel Bollinger
Copy Editor:
Demi VanderWerff
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PO Box 5545
Huntsville, AL 35814
(256) 534-0508
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